Vampire Weekend Lawsuit: Kristen Kennis Sues Indie Rock Band, Says She Never Authorized Photo

NEW YORK (CBS) The model on the cover of indie rock band Vampire Weekend's album "Contra" is seeking over $2 million from the band, claiming she never authorized the use of her photo.

Kristen Kennis claims the photo of her, wearing a yellow Polo-monogrammed shirt and standing against a bare wall, was taken originally in 1983, during her time as a high-fashion model under contract with "prestigious agencies in New York City."

In the complaint document, obtained by Crimesider, Kennis claims that her signature was forged on a "photographic release" that the band obtained from a photographer named Tod Brody.

Contra is the band's second album and was released in January, debuting at #1 on the Billboard album chart.

During an MTV interview in October 2009, front man Ezra Koening and bassist Chris Baio were asked about the iconic cover image.

"We haven't met her, we don't know her," bassist Chris Baio told MTV.

"We're not being very specific about it. The picture is from 1983..." lead singer Ezra Koenig added. "When we saw this image, we just found it very striking. And part of it is the look on her face. It's not about the color of her hair, or the fact that she's wearing a Polo shirt. What makes it interesting is her face."

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday. Kennis is suing the band, the photographer and the band's record company, XL Recordings.

A call to the band's management was not immediately returned.